New tank - Lots of hope

Hey guys,
I'm am brand new to coral reef aquariums. I have my tank, but that's it. I have only done tropical fish in the past, so I'm ready to move on. Filters, heaters, and lights are my most perplexing searches. I think I have decided on an Eheim 2026 filter, a titanium heater, and I have no clue about the lights. I do hope to do a few fish first, then move on to soft corals.
My tank is a 47 gallon bow and my first concern is that I choose the right size filter and heater for my tank. I'm looking forward to learning from 3Reef and you. I am reading all I can, so any additional websites or books would be great information. Glad to have found 3reef. This is great! Thanks.
~Cathy

 

Well.....you have a lot of reading ahead of you. And that is good....Research is key in this hobby. A titanium heater was a really good choice. Good job. Filtration? IMO, biological filtration (live rock) and a skimmer is all you need. A filter system is a place for nitrates to be produced IMO. I run a 90g with only filter socks (which are changed out 2x/week) a good quality skimmer and LR. For a 47g tank, take a look at AquaC Remora and Octopus BH-100F skimmers.

ITO lighting. A T5 system will also do you just fine. Metal halides are available to you as well, but a good quality T5 array with UVL bulbs would pretty much allow you anything ITO corals (softies, LPS, SPS and clams). Just consider a good brand. Lighting is something you do not want to skimp on. Tek and Current's Nova Extreme or Nova Extreme Pro line are two really good choices. The Teks and Pro line have individual reflectors which increase reflectivity substantially. You want around 4 to 5 watts per gallon give or take. Do not invest in PCs....otherwise knows as CFs. I run PCs. And while you can do softies and some LPS, you are limited. No SPS. No clams. No anemones (unless ya luck out like I did...and get an anemone that actually survives).

So move slow....I cannot emphasize that enough. Cycle your tank. Get about 60 to 70 lbs of base rock (which will turn into LR) in there with some aragonite sand (a 1 to 2 inch base will suffice). Get your fish slowly. I would not stock more than 1 inch of fish per 4 gallons of water. And keep in mind the fish will grow to full size eventually. Check your compatibilities between fish/inverts/corals. Make up your mind right now what you want your tank to be. It will save you time and grief.

OK, I have rambled on enough. Have fun.......John.

 

I think once you start to read more here on 3reef youll find that the canister type filter isnt a very good way to go for a reef tank . There is a ton of great info here so just spend as much time as you can reading and in a few weeks it will start to make sense ... For Lighting youll want to look into T5 or HQI style lighting . Read up on the differences.
A protien skimmer is also something you'll want for your system although some will say they arent totally necesary but they make keeping water quality up easier for a beginner . Take it slow and read , read , read before you buy ... Have fun and welcome to 3 Reef

 

welcome!

 

Hey, great to have you aboard! The T5 or Metal Halide or combo is the way to go for lighting. Moonlights are a big plus for night viewing. If your wallet is tight check out ebay for cheaper light fixtures. Do you have a canopy? If so, you want retrofit light kits and your cost will be less. Think about what you want your end product to look like. Lighting can be tricky as far as glare goes. If you don't have a canopy are you going to hang lights or use brackets? Are there any mirrors close by that can send the light to the wrong place? Are you going to be sitting on a low coach near the tank? Get the drift. I'm getting a bigger tank soon and I'm doing my homework now. Planning is extremely important. Can be costly otherwise. Live rock and sand is a must and a protein skimmer. I prefer a wet/dry to a canister. Go slow with fish and corals and get a system for adding trace ellements ahead of time. You'll want to add calcium and iodine on a regular basis. I chose Brightwell Liquid Reef and Iodion but there are many other good products as well. Stay away from fish that eat shrimp as part of their diet like a Harlekin Tusk because a cleaner shrimp is a great addition to a reef tank as they eat parasites off their tankmates (ich). Ich is a serious problem with a reef because you can't put the copper medication to attack the ich in a reef tank or you'll kill the corals. My royal gramma had ich for less than a day with the cleaner shrimp. 1 emerald crab and a dozen turbo snails and small hermits crabs are good janitors. A diamond goby sifts the sand and rocks of algae. Get little baby fish when possible as they tend to acclimate easier. Don't be too overwhelmed by all this, you'll find out what works for you. Good luck! Here's some pics of my system with full day lighting and moonlights at night. Leave a message if you want any clarifications.

 

welcome to 3reef this is by far one of if not the best site to come to for help. Well as far as lightning I am running PC aka power compact I only plan on keeping sorfties nothin to crazy. I have a coralife superskimmer works good and wont hurt the pockets to much I do have a fluval canister filter but like said before a nitrate holder is really what it is. But take your time read and go slow man thats really the best advice

 

hello and welcome to 3reef

 

Thank you all for your support and encouragement. I'm really looking forward to doing this. It is a very daunting task, but extremely interesting. I have only started thinking about heaters and filters, but you guys have given me a different take on filters. I'll have to check out your suggestions. I haven't even begun to look at lighting, so I appreciate that help with those options. The only thing here is there seems to be many abreviations and symbols that I don't understand yet. I figure that will come with my research. Thanks again.

 

It's the gratification you get with the finished product that makes it all worthwhile.

 

Welcome to 3Reef this is the place to be. Enjoy!